U.S. patent application number 14/434529 was filed with the patent office on 2015-10-01 for device and process for dispensing beverages from capsules.
This patent application is currently assigned to RHEAVENDORS SERVICES S.p.A. The applicant listed for this patent is RHEAVENDORS SERVICES S.p.A. Invention is credited to Carlo Doglioni Majer.
Application Number | 20150272377 14/434529 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47388539 |
Filed Date | 2015-10-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150272377 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Doglioni Majer; Carlo |
October 1, 2015 |
DEVICE AND PROCESS FOR DISPENSING BEVERAGES FROM CAPSULES
Abstract
Machine for preparing beverages from capsules, wherein the
machine has a vertical axis (V-V) and comprises a dispensing
assembly (1), the assembly in its turn comprising: means for
containing a capsule (3), comprising a first element (4) and a
second element (5) movable one respect to the other to define, in a
closed position, a chamber for extracting the capsule, according to
an axis (A-A) of said means; guiding means (2) for inserting the
capsule (3) inside said assembly (1), and for retaining it in an
intermediate position, different from the extraction position of
the beverage; and ducts for feeding an infusion fluid into said
capsule and dispensing a beverage from said capsule, characterized
in that said axis (A-A) of the containing means (4, 5) of the
capsule (3) is tilted with respect to the vertical axis (V-V) of
the machine of an angle (.alpha.) lower than 45 degrees.
Inventors: |
Doglioni Majer; Carlo;
(Como, IT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
RHEAVENDORS SERVICES S.p.A |
Como |
|
IT |
|
|
Assignee: |
RHEAVENDORS SERVICES S.p.A
Como
IT
|
Family ID: |
47388539 |
Appl. No.: |
14/434529 |
Filed: |
October 14, 2013 |
PCT Filed: |
October 14, 2013 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IB2013/059344 |
371 Date: |
April 9, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
426/425 ;
99/295 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47J 31/407 20130101;
A47J 31/3633 20130101; A47J 31/3638 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47J 31/40 20060101
A47J031/40 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 16, 2012 |
IT |
MI2012A 001745 |
Claims
1. Machine for preparing beverages from capsules, said machine
having a vertical axis, said machine comprising a dispensing
assembly comprising: means for containing a capsule, comprising a
first element and a second element movable one respect to the other
to define, in a closed position, a chamber for extracting the
capsule, according to an axis of said means; guiding means for
inserting a capsule inside said assembly, and for retaining it in
an intermediate position, different from the extraction position of
the beverage, ducts for feeding an infusion fluid into said capsule
and dispensing a beverage from said capsule, characterized in that
said axis of the containing means of the capsule is tilted with
respect to the vertical axis of the machine of an angle lower than
45 degrees.
2. Machine according to claim 1, wherein said angle is comprised in
the range between 3 and 18 degrees, preferably between 8 and 15
degrees.
3. Machine according to claim 1, wherein said second element of the
containing means comprises a pierced rest plate for the capsule,
said rest plate being part of a hollow cylinder provided with vents
for the infusion fluid and inlets for the air, placed in a position
higher than said vents.
4. Device according to claim 3, wherein said inlets are placed in a
position opposite with respect to said vents.
5. Machine according to claim 1, wherein said guiding means retain
the capsule in a position coaxial to the axis of the containing
means.
6. Machine according to claim 1, further comprising means for
extracting the capsule, adapted to disengage said capsule from said
containing means after the beverage has been dispensed.
7. Machine according to claim 1, wherein said extracting means are
housed in the movable element of the containing means and they are
urged elastically in a position projecting from said movable
element.
8. Machine according to claim 7, wherein said movable element is
arranged to splay the guiding and containing means of the capsule
and to drop the capsule into the extraction position by
gravity.
9. Method for preparing a beverage from a machine according to
claim 1, by means of a capsule and a dispensing assembly,
characterized by inserting a capsule into said dispensing assembly
in a position wherein the capsule is coaxial or has an axis
parallel to the axis of said dispensing assembly, said axis of the
dispensing assembly being tilted of an angle lower than 45.degree.
with respect to the vertical axis of said machine.
10. Method according to claim 9, wherein at the beginning said
capsule is retained in an intermediate position and afterwards it
is moved to an extraction position, and wherein the axis of the
capsule in the intermediate position coincides with the axis of the
capsule in the extraction position.
11. Method according to claim 9 wherein, at the end of the
dispensing step, the beverage remained in the capsule is drained by
gravity into a discharge and the capsule remains in the dispensing
position until the next dispensing.
12. Method according to claim 9, wherein the used capsule is
ejected from said dispensing assembly by means of a new capsule to
be used.
13. Extracting assembly to be used in a machine for dispensing
beverages, as defined according to claim 1.
Description
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention concerns a machine and a method for
preparing beverages from capsules. More in particular, the present
invention refers to a machine provided with a dispensing assembly
of beverages, for example coffee, from a capsule with a flange of
the single-dose type; the assembly is provided with at least one
containing means adapted to form an infusion chamber around the
capsule, ensuring the tightness during the dispensing step.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Various types of machine with dispensing assemblies for
capsules are known. In general, such as for example in EP 1646305,
the dispensing assembly has an horizontal axis and the capsule is
vertically inserted into the assembly; the assembly has two
containing elements of the capsule, one movable and the other one
fixed, enclosing the capsule during the dispensing step, engaging
the capsule flange, so that to obtain the required tightness. At
the end of the dispensing the capsule remains in its position until
the two containing elements move away one from another in order to
insert a new capsule and the used capsule is removed from the
dispensing assembly by gravity, i.e. it falls into a receptacle
below.
[0003] Further the known assemblies have means for guiding the
capsule in an intermediate position and retaining means for
extracting the capsule from the containing portions of the capsule
at the end of the dispensing, when the two portions are separated.
However, these assemblies are bulky and not so much adapted to be
used in combination in a machine also comprising an assembly for
dispensing beverages from soluble products. Furthermore, a problem
of said known assemblies is to position the capsule correctly in
the containing means; as a matter of fact, the capsule, once
inserted, remains tilted and must be straightened up from the
movable part of the containing means. An additional problem is that
there no flexibility in capsule types used by the machine, the
latter being de facto bound to only one capsule profile.
[0004] Still another problem is to prevent beverage stagnations on
the machine after the dispensing of the beverage itself.
[0005] Object of the present invention is to solve the afore
mentioned problems and to realize a machine for preparing beverages
that is able to accommodate a capsule assembly and sufficiently
flexible for the use of different capsules.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Such an object is achieved by the machine according to claim
1. Preferred features are described in the dependent claims.
[0007] A dispensing assembly, for the use in a machine of the afore
described type, is an additional object of the Patent.
[0008] Another object of the Patent is a method for preparing a
beverage according to claim 8.
[0009] The invention presents a number of advantages relative to
the known art. The axis of the dispensing assembly is little tilted
with respect to the vertical axis of the machine, therefore the
assembly can be housed therein thereby achieving a space saving,
for example sideways the assembly of soluble products. Another
advantage is that the capsule is inserted and positioned in the
assembly with the axis substantially already corresponding to the
axis of the extraction position; this and the almost vertical
position of the assembly offer the possibility of using also
capsules with different profiles on the same assembly, provided
that the flange of the capsules can be tightened between the two
portions of the containing means.
[0010] Another advantage is that the tilted position allows
draining the beverage remained in the capsule when the beverage
dispensing is ended. Furthermore, the new capsule to be introduced
provides, during the insertion, for the displacement of the capsule
still present from the preceding dispensing by acting on the body
side of the old capsule.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0011] These and other advantages will be evident from the
following description of illustrative embodiments but not limiting
the invention, where:
[0012] FIG. 1 is an view from the outside of a machine containing
the assembly according to the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bottom portion of an
assembly according to the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of an assembly according to
the present invention during the insertion of a new capsule;
[0015] FIG. 4a is a perspective and simplified front view of
guiding means and containing means of an assembly according to the
present invention;
[0016] FIG. 4b is a perspective rear view of guiding means and
containing means of an assembly according to the present
invention;
[0017] FIGS. 5-7 show a first embodiment of an assembly according
to the present invention;
[0018] FIGS. 8-10 show a second embodiment of an assembly according
to the present invention;
[0019] FIGS. 11-14 show a third embodiment of an assembly according
to the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 15 is a front view of the containing means according to
the present invention;
[0021] FIGS. 16-21 show front views of operative steps of the
containing means of an assembly according to the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0022] In the embodiments hereinafter, only some of possible means
for piercing the capsule known in the art are shown, but the
invention is not limited to such embodiments and comprises
different means for opening the capsule according to the kind of
the capsule itself. For example, the capsule can be provided with
holes already present in the wall for the inlet of the infusion
water and, in case, also in the beverage dispensing wall.
[0023] The invention can be used indifferently with capsules in
which the infusion liquid flows from the base to the flange and
vice versa.
[0024] Referring to figures, the machine 30 for preparing beverages
from capsules 3 comprises, in a known way, an assembly 1 for
preparing and dispensing coffee (or other beverages) from a capsule
3. The assembly 1 is housed in a carter or outer frame 13.
[0025] More in detail, the frame 13 has, on the outside, an opening
28 shaped in such a way to aid the insertion of a capsule 3. The
opening is closable by a door 23 that is rotatably mounted on the
frame 13 and provided with pushing means 24 for introducing the
capsule 3 into the assembly 1. The pushing means 24 are shaped in
such a way to push the capsule 3 into the assembly 1 through the
opening 28. The assembly 1 comprises guide means 2 for introducing
a capsule 3 into the assembly 1, containing means 4, 5 of the
capsule, ducts 6, 7 for feeding an infusion fluid into e from the
capsule 3. The containing means comprise two portions 4, 5 that are
mutually movable and comprise a seat 9, in the means 4, for
accommodating at least partially a capsule 3 and means for
sustaining the capsule in the means 5. The capsule is positioned so
that to be between the portions 4 and 5 of the containing means and
to be tightened between them at the flange 3a when the portions 4
and 5 are moved one towards the other during the dispensing step of
the beverage. In the following description the containing means 4
will be defined as "first containing means" 4, and the second
element of the containing means 5 will be named as "second
containing means" 5.
[0026] As shown in figures, at least the containing means 4, 5, and
preferably the whole assembly, are arranged so that their axis A-A
is angled, that is tilted, with respect to the vertical axis V-V of
the machine.
[0027] More in detail, the containing means 4, 5, and preferably
the whole assembly 1, have an axis A-A tilted with respect to the
vertical axis V-V of the machine of an angle .alpha. lower than
45.degree.. The .alpha. angle is preferably comprised between
3.degree. and 20.degree., and more preferably between 8.degree. and
15.degree.. A tilt angle of 12.degree. of the containing means 4,
5, with respect to the vertical, would be particularly
advantageous. The reduced angle of the A-A axis with respect to the
vertical allows the capsule 3 to be inserted into the extracting
assembly 1, the axis of the capsule 3 being in an almost vertical
position, contrary to what happens in known machines.
[0028] For introducing the capsule 3 into the assembly 1, guiding
means 2 for retaining the capsule 3 are provided that are shaped,
in the shown embodiment, as two splayed jaws rotatable around the
pins 10 constrained to the frame 13. Elastic means, not shown in
figures, urge the guiding means 2 in a known way towards a closed
position of said guiding means 2, that is they force the jaws one
towards the other. The guiding means 2 have a U-shaped profile 2a,
in order to allow the flange 3a of a capsule 3 to slide along the
guiding means 2. The guiding means 2 are shaped so that they can be
splayed, preferably, by the engagement with the containing means 4,
5 in such a way to be able to control the opening, i.e. the
splaying of the guiding means 2, as detailed hereinafter.
[0029] The guiding means 2 define, in a way known in the art, an
intermediate position of the capsule 3, shown in FIG. 15; the
capsule, after being inserted into the guide 2, is initially in
this position in which it is retained by the guide 2 between the
first containing means 4 and the second containing means 5 (shown
in a dotted line) placed below the first means. From this position,
the capsule is subsequently moved to an extraction position, lower
than the intermediate position, in which the capsule flange is then
sealingly tightened between the means 4 and 5.
[0030] Different shapes of the guiding means 2 are possible;
guiding means 2 adapted to allow the insertion of a capsule 3 into
the assembly 1 and to retain the capsule 3 itself in an
intermediate position between the first and the second containing
means 4 and 5, fall within the scope and the object of the present
invention. Also guiding means 2, equivalent to those herein
described, are adapted to be used, that is movable or rotatable
around a pin; for example means elastically deformable under the
action of the containing means 4, 5.
[0031] In particular, the containing means 4, 5 can be easily
adapted to different typologies of capsules, known in the art,
without modifying the object of the present invention. Some
examples will be suggested from which it will be evident as
pre-pierced or punchable capsules, capsules in which the infusion
liquid is fed from the flange to the base, i.e. from the capsule
portion opposite to the flange, capsules in which the infusion
liquid is fed in an opposite direction, that is from the base to
the flange, etc., can be used.
[0032] In general, the present invention is not limited only to the
illustrative embodiments shown in figures, but it is substantially
applicable to any type of extracting assembly of a capsule provided
with a flange.
[0033] The definition "mutually movable containing means" is meant
as comprising different interacting configurations between the
first containing means 4 and the second containing means 5, whereby
both containing means 4, 5 can be movable or else a first
containing means 4 is movable and a second containing means 5 is
fixed, integral with respect to the frame 13 of the assembly, etc.
These and other variations are based on the capsule used in the
assembly 1.
[0034] In a first possible embodiment, shown in FIGS. 5-7, a
capsule 103 is inserted into an assembly 101, visible in FIG. 6,
which is provided, in a way known in the art, with holes 108a, 108b
for the input of infusion water and for the beverage output from
the capsule 103. In particular, both the base 103b and the wall
delimited by the flange 103a of the capsule 103, have holes 108a,
108b adapted for allowing the passage of the infusion fluid from
the base 103b towards the flange 103a of the capsule 103. In the
shown embodiment, the first containing means 104 are movable,
whereas the second containing means 105 are fixed.
[0035] In particular in the shown embodiment, the first containing
means 104 are movable along a endless screw 114, for example by
means of a motor or any other movement means M, known per se in the
art. Alternatively, the means 104 can be movable through other
means, for example thanks to a lever and a crank mechanism driven
by it, as in EP 1757212. The first containing means 104 have a seat
109 for housing at least part of the capsule 103. In particular,
the seat 109 is shaped so as to enclose the body of the capsule
103, that is the base of the capsule (the surface opposite to the
flange 103a), and the side surface. A duct 106 for feeding the
infusion water is fluidically connected to the seat 109 for housing
the capsule 103.
[0036] On the other hand, the second containing means 105 are
fixed, and have a pierced plate 125A supporting the capsule 103,
adapted to sustain the capsule and to allow the passage of the
infusion liquid. A duct 7 is connected to the beverage dispensing
system of the machine.
[0037] Preferably, means for piercing the capsule are present on
the assembly 1, possibly only for the water input or the beverage
output; in an alternative embodiment, the capsule 103 is sized so
that to not interfere therewith.
[0038] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8-10, a further embodiment
of an assembly 201 in shown, in which the capsule 203, visible in
FIG. 9, is of the closed type and has, in a way known in the art,
an inlet side 203b that can be pierced by appropriate means 216
present on the first means 204. The outlet side of the capsule 203
is provided, in a way known in the art, with a membrane 208
extroflexed under pressure for its tear on means 220 placed on the
second containing means 205. The infusion liquid is fed through an
inlet side, or base, 203b. As afore discussed, in an alternative
embodiment the side for the inlet of water into the capsule can be
provided with an opening.
[0039] The first containing means 204 are substantially identical
to the first containing means 104, except for the presence of the
piercing means 216; also in this embodiment the infusion water is
fed from the upper side of the containing means 204, that is from
the duct 206, towards the second containing means 205, wherein a
duct 207 is provided and connected to the system for the beverage
dispensing.
[0040] The second containing means 205 are fixed, and have a rest
wall or edge 210 for the flange 203a of the capsule 203. When the
pressurized infusion liquid is introduced into the capsule 203, the
membrane 208 warps and tears on the piercing means 220 in a known
way. As afore mentioned, the second containing means 205 are
provided with the duct 207 for dispensing the beverage.
[0041] In the embodiment of FIGS. 11-14, the feeding of the
infusion liquid takes place in a way opposite to what shown in the
preceding two embodiments, that is from the flange 303a towards the
base 303b.
[0042] In particular, the water is fed towards the capsule 303,
housed in the seat 309 of the first containing means 304, through
the duct 307 of the second containing means 305. The beverage is
then dispensed from the duct 306, placed in the first containing
means 304.
[0043] The first containing means 304 are very similar to the afore
described containing means 104 and 204.
[0044] In particular, the differences of the first containing means
304 from what described above, are substantially the configuration
of the piercing elements 316, which are realized based on the shape
of the respective capsule 303, and the duct 306 that, in this
embodiment, is used for the beverage dispensing, whereas in the
previously described embodiments the ducts 106, 206 act as ducts
for feeding the infusion water.
[0045] The general structure of the second containing means 305 is
known in the art, for example from Patents PCT/IB2009/055976 and
PCT/EP05153294, and it is not object of the present invention. In
brief, the second containing means 305 are axially movable with
respect to piercing means 320 that, through corresponding holes
placed on a plate 325A of the containing means 305, are able to
open the capsule 303. The plate 325A is place over a hollow
cylinder 325B surrounding the piercing means 320. Vents 22a (FIG.
4A) for discharging water are preferably arranged on the side
surface of the hollow cylinder 325B.
[0046] According to the present invention, inlets 22B (FIG. 4b) are
arranged in an upper position, and preferably in a position
opposite with respect to the vents 22A. As will be detailed
hereinafter, the openings 22B allow the air input inside the second
containing means 5, so that to aid, in combination with the tilt of
the same containing means, the discharge of excess liquid through
the openings 22A.
[0047] A gasket 321, placed under the piercing means 320 and
integrally therewith, is adapted to cooperate with the openings
22A, 22B.
[0048] As can be deduced from the preceding description, the first
containing means 4, 104, 204 and 304 are substantially unchanged in
their structure among the possible embodiments of the present
invention. In FIG. 15 first generic containing means 4 are shown,
compatible with the embodiments of the present invention, among
which those afore described, and guiding means 2 while they are
retaining a capsule 3 in the afore mentioned intermediate position
between the first containing means 4 and the second containing
means 5.
[0049] In particular, the possible variations among the various
containing means are graphically highlighted.
[0050] A duct 6 for feeding/discharging the water/beverage is shown
in dotted line. Position and shape of the outlet of the duct 6 into
the seat 9 can vary as a function of the infusion method of the
beverage. In general a duct 6 is placed, in a known way, in fluidic
communication with the inside of the seat 9 to allow the input of
water or the output of the beverage, according to the direction of
the water itself.
[0051] Also piercing means 16 are shown in dotted line because, as
afore reported, they could not be present.
[0052] Lastly, the upper part of generic second containing means 5
is shown in simplified form and dotted line, whose shape, on the
contrary, changes according to the typology of capsule used in the
assembly 1.
[0053] The other features, shown in FIG. 15 by continuous lines,
are common for all embodiments.
[0054] In particular it is possible to notice, in the first
containing means 4, the presence of extracting means 26 for
removing the capsule 3 from the seat 9 at the end of the beverage
dispensing. The extracting means 26 are movable with the first
means 4 with respect to the second means 5 and they are further
movable with respect to the first containing means 4. In the shown
embodiment the extracting means 26 are shaped as bars or plungers
26, which are axially movable inside a seat obtained in the side
surface of the first containing means 4. Usually elastic means 27
urge the plungers 26 outwards with respect to their own seat, i.e.
towards a position protruding with respect to the edge 9a of the
seat 9. The operation of the plungers 26 will be cleared in the
following, during the treatise of the operation of the assembly 1;
it is evident that shape and operation of the extracting means 26
are substantially identical for all embodiments.
[0055] In general, the invention covers all possible embodiments of
containing means and all possible embodiments of means for feeding
the water and dispensing the beverage that are provided with the
guides 2 and the plungers 26 according to the present
invention.
[0056] The embodiments of the present invention providing for the
feeding of infusion fluid from the capsule flange, as the
embodiment of FIGS. 11-14, can be further provided with means for
discharging the exhausted infusion liquid remained at the capsule
3, 303 at the end of the beverage dispensing. The discharging means
use the tilt of the containing means so that to allow the removal
of the exhausted liquid by gravity, at the end of the infusion.
[0057] A possible embodiment of such discharging means 22A, 22B, 12
is shown referring to FIGS. 2, 4 and 11-14.
[0058] In particular, the second containing means 305 can be
provided with a plurality of vents 22A for the discharge of the
exhausted water. Furthermore, as shown in the embodiment of FIGS.
4b and 11-14, additional inlets 22B are preferably present in a
position opposite to the vents 22A. The inlets 22B are adapted to
draw air into the second containing means 305 so that to aid the
ejection of the infusion liquid and to avoid the permanence of a
"vacuum effect" between the capsule 303 and the second containing
means 305.
[0059] As shown in FIG. 2, there is preferably a chute 12 adapted
to allow the outflow of beverage and infusion liquid in excess,
which have been previously ejected from the hollow cylinder 25B
through the vents 22A.
[0060] As an alternative to holes 22A other means can be used, for
example the employed gasket can have a not-flat shape, with a
plurality of reliefs, so that a tightness is present when the
flange of the capsule 3 is compressed between the means 4 and 5,
whereas in absence of compression, such as for example at the end
of the infusion and dispensing step of the beverage, the ridges of
reliefs raise the flange with respect to the rest of the gasket and
allow the air passage between flange and gasket. Referring to FIGS.
2-4 and 16-21, it is now described the operation of the assembly 1
according to the present invention, particularly referring to the
operation of plungers 26. Such an operation of plungers 26 is
applied to all above described embodiments.
[0061] A capsule 3 is initially inserted into the opening 28 of the
frame 13. By closing the door 23, the pushing means 24 push the
capsule 3 into the assembly 1, along the guiding means 2. As can be
seen in FIGS. 2 and 4, the capsule 3a slides inside the profile 2a
(see also the enlarged details of FIGS. 20 and 21) shaped as a "U"
or an asymmetrical "U" of the guiding means 2; the guiding means 2
house part of the flange and raise it with respect to the second
containing means. At the same time, if an exhausted capsule 3' is
present, already used in the previous dispensing, the flange 3a
presses against it and causes its ejection from the dispensing
area. In fact, the exhausted capsule 3' is not inside the guiding
means 2, but it is in a position lower with respect to the latter,
rested against the second containing means 5, as better described
in the following. During the inserting and sliding step inside the
profile 2a, the capsule 3 splays the guiding means 2, for example
acting on a portion 2b protruding therefrom. Next, the flange 3a
continues its path along the guiding means 2 until it is at a
recessed portion 2c, so that to aid the closing of the guiding
means 2 around the capsule 3. The capsule 3 is then in the position
shown in FIG. 15, that is with the flange 3a retained in the
profile 2a of the guiding means 2, in a position superior to the
second containing means 5 and spaced out therefrom. At the same
time, the capsule 3 is in position lower than the first containing
means 4.
[0062] Once the capsule 3 has been positioned, as in FIG. 15, the
first containing means 4 are lowered towards the means 5, for
example by the movement means M, and they start their own
descent.
[0063] During the descent, the containing means 4 engage and splay
the guiding means 2. The capsule 3 is then released from the latter
and the profile 2a and it drops by gravity on the second containing
means 5. The first contacting means continue their descent, the
plungers 26 contact the flange 3a and the housed body of the
capsule 3 starts its insertion into the seat 9, as seen in FIG.
16.
[0064] In the following, the first containing means 4 continue
their own descent, and the counteraction of the capsule 3 rested on
the second containing means 5 causes the withdrawal of the plungers
26 inwards the first containing means 4, thereby countering the
action of the elastic means 27. The capsule body is then completely
inserted inside the seat 9. The edge 9a of the seat 9 engages the
flange of the capsule 3 and compresses the gasket 18 of the second
containing means 5, so that to realize a fluid-tight seal of the
seat 9 (FIG. 17)
[0065] Then the opening of the capsule 3 (if necessary) is carried
out in a known way and the infusion and preparing step of the
beverage is carried out too.
[0066] Particularly referring to details shown in FIGS. 18-21, it
is now described an extracting method of the capsule 3 from its own
seat 9, the method being object of the present invention and
identical for all shown embodiments.
[0067] At the end of the dispensing, the first containing means 4
are in the condition shown in FIG. 13. The means 4 go up from here
towards their initial position, retracing the above described steps
in backward. At the beginning, as shown in FIG. 18, the edge 9a of
the inner wall of means 4 disengages from the gasket 18. The
plungers 26 are biased by the elastic means 27 outwards and, in
this step, have a relative movement with respect to the first
containing means 4, remaining in abutment against the flange 3a of
the capsule 3. Thanks to the action of the plungers 26, the capsule
3 is kept in position on the means 5 and the capsule starts its
extraction from the seat 9 of the first containing means 4. In
addition, between the second containing means 5 and the capsule 3,
as a consequence of the infusion, a "vacuum effect" can be created,
aiding the action of the plungers 26 in extracting the capsule 3
from the seat 9.
[0068] In FIGS. 19 and 20 the following steps are illustrated, in
which the first containing means 4 come back upwards. The plungers
26 remain in abutment against the flange 3a up to the ends of
stroke of the elastic means 27; in the meanwhile, the guiding means
2 start their run towards their initial position; in this regard it
has to be noticed that in the present invention, differently from
those according to the known art, the guiding means 2, i.e. the
jaws initially retaining the capsule, do not extract the capsule
from the housing 9, that is from the means 4. As afore described,
the plungers 26 carry out such an operation.
[0069] In FIG. 21 the plungers 26 have spent the run of the elastic
means 27, whereby the disengagement of the capsule 3, from both the
first containing means 4 and the plungers 26, happened. Then the
capsule 3 remains rested on the second containing means 5, and in
the following the operation of insertion of a new capsule, it will
operate as an exhausted capsule 3', described above, i.e. it will
be ejected from the assembly 1 according to the afore described
modes.
[0070] Concerning the embodiment providing the discharging means
22A, 22B, 12, in the following the method for the ejection of the
infusion liquid still exceeding at the end of the beverage
preparation, is presented.
[0071] Referring to the shown embodiment, during the step in which
the first containing means 304 come back upwards, the openings 22A
and 22B (FIG. 14) are moved back in a position upper than the
gasket 321.
[0072] Due to the tilt of the axis A-A of the containing means 304,
305, the liquid in excess does not stagnate inside the second
containing means 305, but it is ejected by gravity through the
vents 22A. It is then possible that during the infusion step, a
vacuum effect has been created between the capsule 303 and the
second containing means 305, that could impair the efficiency of
the vents 22A thereby impeding a correct output of the liquid in
excess through the same openings. The presence of the inlets 22B
cures such a disadvantageous possibility. More in detail, the
fluidic connection of the inlets 22B with the inner portion of the
second connecting means 305, allows the air coming into them, so
that to end the mentioned vacuum effect. Thanks to this, it is
possible to ensure an effective ejection of the liquid in excess
through the vents 22A.
[0073] Preferably, once the liquid has been ejected from the vents
22A, it continues its own run on the chute 12 so that to be removed
from the assembly 301.
[0074] It has to be noticed that, in this embodiment, it is
necessary to ensure a movement, although limited, between the
second containing means 305 and the gasket 321. As a matter of
fact, during the infusion step of the beverage, the openings 22A
and 22B must be placed under the gasket 321, so that to fluidically
preclude the openings 22A and 22B from the water path during the
infusion, and then to avoid the liquid output from the same
openings. At the end of the infusion, a relative movement between
the containing means 5 and the gasket 321 allows the air passing
through the inlets 22B and the output of the fluid through the
vents 22A, according to the afore described mode.
[0075] In the shown embodiment the piercing means 320 and the
gasket 321 are fixed with respect to the frame 13, whereas the
second containing means 305 are movable with respect to the same.
It is clear that the contrary solution can be provided, in which
the second containing means 305 are fixed, whereas the piercing
means 320 and the gasket 321 are movable.
[0076] It has to be underlined that the shown embodiments are only
some of the possible embodiments of the present invention. For
example, it is possible to use pierced capsules having flow
direction of the infusion liquid from the flange to the base,
capsules with auto-piercing means having flow direction of the
infusion liquid from the base to the flange, and other combinations
of the shown embodiments and, in general, of the various typologies
of capsules on the market having a flange.
[0077] The field technician well comprises that the herein
described invention can be adapted to other capsule solutions and
feeding/dispensing systems of the infusion liquid/beverage
different from what described above, and that these systems still
fall in the protection of the present invention, defined by the
appended claims and not limited to the embodiments shown in the
above description and illustrated in the appended figures.
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